Mechanism for and method of handling yarns or the like, particularly in carpet manufacture



IKE, PARTICULARLY 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 31, 1926.

E. F. HATHAWAY ET AL MECHANISM FOR AND METHOD OF HANDLING YARNS OR THE L IN CARPET MANUFACTUR Filed Nov. 2l. 1924 way, ay ZAM-, Edv-MIM Y Viggia- 2y@ E LIKE, PAHTICULARLY 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Invenoifs:

Waleif- Ricc mm Bm. G Q

HATHAWAY ET AL or HANDLING YARN# on TH IN CARPET MANUFAGTURE Filed Nqv, 21, 1924 Aug. 31 1926.

lmcHANIsM Fon AND u'lgog' E LIKE, PAHTICULARLY 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 luvenors:

Fjiaw Aug. 31 1926.

E. F. HATHAWAY ET AL IECHANISM FOR AND METHOD OF HANDLING YARNS OR TH IN CARPET MANUFACTURE Filed Nov. 21, 1924 l, 4 a, a n u 5 m1, Ry w V qw M ...m nlf l `WW u@ w www Fae n :I :w all n m w EDB/MJ n w ...wv/M M 6 E m EWJ Mmm b 4 VHA N Ammv. .Mmmm .Anmw H Q ...DNP 0I Em E M D M l m m m m g M u A EDGAR F. HATHAVAY, F WELLESLEY,

ANB W'ALTER BIXBY, OF BORG/BESTER,

MASSACEUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO SHAWMUT ENGINEERING COMPANY, GF DOR- CHESTER, IVIASSACHUSETTS, A CORFRATON OF :MASSACHUSETTS FIECHANISM FOR .AND METHOD OF HANDLING YARN@ OR TES-IE LiKE, PARTCLARLY IN CARPET MANUFACTURE.

Application filed November Our invention relates to the handling of yarns or the like, particularly in carpet manufacture, and more specifically aims to provide improved mechanism for and methods of preparing a series of tuft yarns and an associated yarn carrier or tube frame for use in a carpet or other loom.

Inthe drawings showing one illustrative embodiment of the invention; and illustrating one manner of practicing our method;

Fig. 1 is a view partly in end elevation and partly in vertical cross section of one form of mechanism embodying our invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of one end of the mechanism, portions thereof being broken away;

Fig. 3 is a. plan View of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 41 is a plan view of the opposite end of the machine from that shown in Figs. l to 3;

Fig. 5 is a view upon a larger scale, partly in plan and partly in horizontal section,

of a carriage for the yarn carrier or tube frame, the intermediate section thereof being broken away;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation on the same scale as in Fig. 5 of a portion of said carriage;

Fig. 'I' is a detail view, being a vertical cross section upon the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

8 is a front elevation upon a large scale of a portion of the yarn trimming mechanism Fig. 9 is a transverse vertical section through the mechanism shown in Fig. 8 and certain other associated parts;

Fig. 10 is a detail view.

For the purposes of illustration we have shown our invention as applied to a yarn placing or tubing' machine having yarn alacing devices or needles sufiicient in number to engage and place or thread at one time the yarns of a single, maximum length spool, although the invention may obviously be employed in connection with similar mechanism adapted to thread the yarns of a plurality of spools simultaneously, as shown for example in our copending application, Serial No. 637,652, filed May 9, 1923, now Patent #1,522,778, dated January 13, 1925.

Referring at first more particularly to 2'1, 1924. Serial N0. 751,269.

Figs. 1 to 3 the main frame of the mechanism includes a pair of spaced supports or end frame members 1, (see also Fig. 4 at the right) said members being united at their upper portions by a longitudinal arch member 2. Suitable yarn placing mechanism is supported upon said frame, such as the series or bank of reciprocable needles 3, which are shown in their rear or retracted position in Figs. l and 3. Said needles and their operating mechanism may be in general similar to those fully shown and described in our Patent #1,512,928, dated @ctober 28, 192e and herein sufficiently illustrated to afford a complete understanding thereof.

Each needle 3 is secured at its rear end in a cross bar l (see Fig. 3) extending longitudinally of the machine and itself attached at each end to one of a pair of needle slide bars or racks 5 slidable through guideways upon the machine frame. Said slide bars or racks 5 are movable to reciprocate the needles through their engagement with suitable gears upon the operating shaft, one end of which is indicated at 6 in Fig. 1. Said operating shaft may be driven in any suitable manner, for example, as disclosed in said Patent 1,512,928, by a lever pivotcd upon the machine frame as at 7, Fig. 1, and having' at one end a segmental gear meshing with a gear on said operating shaft and at the other end having a cam roll to engage a track cam 8, Fig. 1, upon a counter shaft 9, said cam being provided with gear teeth 10 meshing with a pinion upon the main drive shaft 11.

Power may be applied to said main shaft through suitable clutch and pulley mechanism, Figs. 2 and 3, and through the abovedescribed gearing causes the needles to advance and retract, the cam 8 being preferably so formed as to produce a complete reciprocatory movement of the entire bank of needles 3 for each revolution of the cam.

Said bank of needles is adapted to be moved in the manner above described passing forwardly through the yarn receiving portions of a tube frame or like yarn carrier to engage a series of yarn ends, and subsequently retracting and placing said ends in units of one or more, one unit through each yarn receiving portion or tube.

While capable of handling short tube frames or yarn carriers receiving but a single spool of any desired length the disclosed mechanism is particularly adapted for use with the l-onger tube frames or carriers commonly used in performing wide work, and capable of receiving two, three or more spools of suitable length. Accordingly devices are provided upon the machine for supporting such a tube frame or carrier of maximum length including means permitting said frame or carrier readily to be shifted in the direction of its length to bring the various sections thereof into position for the threading operation.

Herein said tube frame or like yarn carrier is indicated as a whole at 12, being shown for illustrative purposes (see Figs. 1-4, and particularly Fig. 9), of the type comprising a plurality of longitudinal members secured together to form a frame for supporting the series of yarn receiving portions or tubes 13. Said yarn carrier is provided at each end with the usual spring clips 14 for holding the outer pintles of the end spools in the manner illustrated in Fig. 4, and with intermediate brackets 15, 15 to receive the remaining spool pintles, the number of such brackets being dependent upon the number of spools employed. In the present instance three spools A, B, C have been illustrated, but within the scope of our invention a greater or less number may be employed and the length of the carrier correspondingly varied.

It is frequently desirable to employ a yarn carrier formed with a slight bow, as illustrated in Fig. 4, a plan view, in which it will be noted that the inner ends of the series of tubes 13 lie along a slight arc. The bow is desirably of just the extent necessary to offset what would otherwise be a sag in the carrier, thus causing the latter to assume a straight line when loaded with spools and supported at its ends only and in inverted position, that is, with the tubes projecting downwardly as when the carrier is in use upon the loom.

The carrier 12 shown by way of example is provided with well-known means whereby it may be caused to assume a slight curve or bow in the planes of the tubes 13. Said means includes the tension rod or like adjusting member 16 seen in cross section in Fig. 9 and which extends the length of the carrier along its inner face, that is, along that face from which the tubes 13 project. Said rod is adjustably secured adjacent the opposite ends of the carrier as by screwthreaded engagement therewith whereby relative turning movement will increase the tension upon the rod and cause the carrier to bow to variable degrees.

Our invention is not confined to use with a bowed carrier or with a carrier of the particular type illustrated but is adapted to handle other types of yarn carrier such, for example, as illustrated in our said patent above mentioned.

The yarn carrier to be threaded is adapted to be movably supported upon the yarn placing or tubing machine in such manner that the successive sections of tubes may readily be brought into position for threading. Herein for the purpose there is-secured along the front 0f the machine frame a pair of parallel bars or track members 20, 21, seen in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 and in cross section in Figs. 1 and 9. Said members extend the entire length of the needle mechanism and project outwardly beyond the latter at one end, herein the right, (see Figs. 2 and 3) for a distance suflicient to support a carrier of maximum length when one end section thereof, herein the left end, is in position for threading. At the opposite end of the needle mechanism, herein the left, see Figs. 4 and 5, said track members project a distance at least equal to the entire length of a carrier of maximum length. The total extent of said track members therefore, including their portion which lies in front of the needles, is desirably at least twice that of a maximum length yarn carrier. Supports 22 for said track members are provided adjacent their ends and at suitable intermediate points.

At suitably spaced points said track members rotatably support between them a series of rollers 23, Figs. 3 and 9. Said bars 20, 21 and the rollers 23 constitute a support or track along which the yarn carrier may be shifted. 1f desired said carrier may ride directly upon said rollers but as herein shown we have provided for it a movable support or carriage which is traversible along` and upon said track.

Said carriage, as shown, is of a length suflicient to receive a maximum length yarn carrier, and herein comprises the base plate 24 which bears upon the rollers 23, and an upper plate 25 vertically spaced from said base plate and upon which the yarn receiving portions or tubes 13 of the carrier are positioned substantially horizontally7 for the threading and trimming of the yarns.

lVben the carriage is itself provided with one or more spool holders, as herein illustrated, and which then take the place of such spoel holders heretofore provided upon the machine frame as, for example, in our patent above mentioned, said spool holders are attached to the said carriage, as by means of the depending brackets 2G (Figs. 1, 2 and 9) adjacent the ends of each spool to be supported. Said brackets are formed at their upper end with an inturned horizontal portion 27 secured flatwise against the upper face of the base plate 24 of the carriage. Intermediate the base plate of the carriage and its upper plate 25 is a tubullO Cri

lar member 28 which extends along the central portion of the carriage, being` supported above the base plate 24 by a series of spacer members 29 and itself forming a direct support for the upper plate 25. Said base plate 24, brackets 2G, the spacers 29, tubular member 23, and the upper plate 25, are secured together as by means of the screw bolts 30 (Figs. 1 and 9).

aid carriage, comprising the parts above mentioned, is adapted to be shifted lengthwise the machine, either automatically or manually, the base plate 24 riding upon the rollers or bearings 23, etc. and being guided at its side edges between the series of guide rollers il upon the upper faces of the tacl members 29,. 21 respectively. As best seen in Figs. 1 and 2 the brackets 26 each carry upon the inner face of their lower portions a vertically pivoted roller 31 (Fig. 1). Said rollers 31 form a further guide for the carriage and bear against a lower track member 32, seen in cross section in said F ig. 1 and appearing also in Figs. 2 and 3, and which is coextensive with the track members 29, 21, being supported upon the machine frame and upon the track supports 22. The carriage above described is provided with means for receiving and rigidly supporting a yarn carrier or tube frame. For this purpose the upper plate of the carriage is recessed upon its upper face as indicated at in Figs. 2, 4 and 5 to a depth substantially equal to the height of the tubes 13, said recessed portion extending inwardly from the front edge of the plate 25 for a distance sutiicient to receive the projecting portions of said tubes and providing a seat therefor. The portion 34 of said upper plate which lies intermediate the rear wall of said tube seat and the rear face of said plate is transversely grooved to form a yarn spacing' comb-like element or rack 35. The individual members or teeth of said rack 35 are so arranged that the yarn receiving portions or tubes of the carrier when in position 'upon its carriage will each come in alignment with a space between two adjacent teeth. During the tl reading operation the needles will be projected between the teeth of said rack just prior to their forward passage through the. tubes, said teeth preferably being beveled at the rear edges and thus constituting an additional guiding and aligning means for the needles as well as acting as spacers for the threaded yarn ends. Upon retraction of the needles the yarn units will be drawn through the tubes and through the spaces of said rack 35 and so as to project somewhat beyond the latter. The portions of the yarn ends beyond the tubes 13 will thus be held in spaced relation by said rack or comb 35, and preferably suitable means, such as the rod or wire 3G, is

provided to prevent the yarns from becoming disengaged from said rack.y

Said rod 36, as best seen in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6 rests upon said raelr 35, extending the entire length thereof, and is adjustably secured at its opposite ends in lugs 37, 37 upon the carriage.

Means is provided upon the movable carriage for theyarn carrier to hold the latter in position thereon but permitting it readily to be inserted into and removed from the carriage.. Said means herein comprises a pair of releasable carrier clamps or fingers 40, one adjacent each end of the carrier seat 33, as best seen in Figs. 4to 7. Said clamps are adapted to overlie thel end tubes in clamping contact therewith, thus to hold the carrier in thel desired position, but are movable upwardly to permit the latter to be inserted or withdrawn. Each of said clamps is fixed at the upper end of a vertical stud 41 slidably supported in suitable bearings in the upper plate 25 and the base plate 24. At a point intermediate the upper and lower plate 24, 25, there is secured to each stud 41 a collar 42, Fig. 7, against the upper face of which bears the lower end of a spring 43 surrounding the stud intermediate said collar and the upper plate 25.

For lifting the studs 41 and the fingers carried thereby a cup-like cam element 44 surrounds each st-ud, having the vcams 45 upon its lower face. Said cams are adapted to be received in corresponding recesses 46 in a lug 47 secured upon the upper face of the base plate 24 and having inclined end walls to permit the cams 45 to ride upwardly out of the recesses when the cup-like element 44 is turned. Each stud 41 extends through its cam element 44, with its collar 42 seated against the bottom wall of said element. Then one of said elements is turned, as by means of the hand lever 43, it will move up out of the recess 4G and on to the upper face of the corresponding lug 47, lifting with it the stud 41 secured to the collar 42 and compressing the spring 43, but without rotating the stud.

In order that both clamps 40 may be released -simultaneously from either end of the carriage they vare preferably interconnected .so as to be operable together. Aecordingly we have shown a connecting link or bar 49 which extends through the tubular member 28 and is provided at each end with an elongated recess through which projects a pin 59 extending radially from each of the cup-like members 44. Movementimparted to one of the holding elements 40 will thus be communicated through the connecting bar 49 to th-e other element.

To perform the threading operation a carrier is inserted in the carriage with its yarn receiving portions or tribes in the seat 33 and in alignment with the spaces between the teeth of the rack 35. The carrier is then secured in said position by the clamps 40. Suitable carriage operating levers 51, 5l are provided adjacent each end of the carriage, projecting forwardly into convenient position to be grasped by the operator. The inner portions of said levers 51, 5l constitute positioning -stops and supporting means for the main frame of the yarn carrier, as well shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9.

The carriage with the yarn carrier seated in it is then moved longitudinally of the machine until the desired section of tubes is in the proper position for threading. It is preferably locked in such position as by means of the releasable spring-pressed automatic stop 52 supported intermediate the track members 2O and 21 and adapted to be projected upwardly into a recess formed in the base plate 24 of th-e carriage as the latter passes over it, (see l0).

A spool to be threaded is then placed in the spool holders, either on the tubing machine proper or, as herein shown, mounted upon the movable carriage. Said spool holders comprises for each .spool a pair of opposed cup-shaped holders 53, 54, at least one holder of each pair, herein those numbered 54, being provided with suitable `gear teeth meshing with pinions, similar to those shown in our patent above mentioned, and herein carried upon the opposite ends of shafts 55; see Fig. l. One holder, herein 53, of each pair is supported for sliding movement transversely of the machine, being normally pressed towards the inserted spool by a suitable spring thus permitting the ready insertion -or withdrawal of a. spool. The spools may be turned when in position in their holders on the carriage, to regulate the yarn tension, as by means of the hand wheels 56, one for each pair of spool holders, upon short cross .shafts 57 rotatably supported on the adjacent holder and having fixed to their inner ends pinions 58 meshing with similar pinions 59 on Athe respective shafts 55.

Said pairs of .spool holders are supported upon the movable carriage and accordingly are moved therewith, being secured to the depending brackets 26, .as clearly seen in Fig, 1. It will be observed that the respec- `tiv-e pairs of spool holders are arranged 1n stepped relation in both vertical and horizontal planes, with the adjacent spools somewhat overlapping. Due to this construction and to the arrangement of the holder operating mechanism, substantially as shown, the end yarns of the adjacent spools may be supported sufficiently near together to allow for proper threadinethereof while at the same time the desire adjusting mechanism for each of the spools,

including the hand wheels and gearing ,above described may be provided, all without interference with the proper functioning of the spools.

Mechanism is also provided for preventing the spools from turning in their holders at certain times, but permitting them to turn at other times to afford the desired amount of slack in the yarns. As best seen in Fig. l, each spool while in its holder upon the carriage is normally locked .against unwinding movement by means of a pawl 60 which engages a ratchet 6l, upon one or both of the cup-shaped holders. At the proper times said pawl is lifted to permit the spool to unwind, said pawls 60 being -supported upon levers 62 each pivotally mounted along a common axis, as indicated at 63. For the upper pairs of holders said levers 62 are in the form of bell-cranks while for the lower pairs of holders they are straight levers, in both cases said levers terminating in a rearwardly projecting 4arm 64rcarrying .an adjustable Contact member 65. Vhen any given pair of spool holders is in position for the threading of its spool the lever 62 and contact member 65 thereof lie in the position substantially as shown in Fig. 1 directly over and in contact with the outer `end of a horizontally extending arm 66 loosely supported upon the main drive shaft 11. Said arm includ-es a rearwardly extending portion carrying a cam roll 67 which cooperates with an adjustable two-part cam 68 upon the counter shaft 9. Said cam roll is held in contact with the cam as by means of the .spring 69, secured at one end to the forward portion of said arm 66 and at its other endto the machine frame.

Said cam 68 moves the lever arm 66 at the proper time to lift the pivoted pawls 60 and hold them out of engagement with their respective racks for the necessary length of time to provide the desired slack of the yarn. Said relaxation of the yarn desirably occurs at the time when the needles 3 are retracted to a position within the tubes, the pawls then being lifted to release the spool and permit the yarns to be unwound by the pull of the needles. The pawl again drops into the ratchet when the raised portion of the cam 68 has passed off from the cam roll 69. Such movements, however, may be varied to suit different working con ditions, as by adjusting the cam 68 and also the contact member 65, or otherwise.

The series of yarns of any given spool to be threaded is supported in the usual manner by a yarn clamp, end spacing and ho-lding member, or comb, as fully shown, for example, in our said patent. Said comb is positioned in the comb holder 70 upon the tubing machine, see Figs. l and 2. Said comb holder 70 is shiftable endwise to lay the yarns across the advanced needles, being slidably supported at its opposite ends in the forwardly projecting brackets 71, one at each end of the machine frame. At the proper time said comb holder and the comb carried thereby are given a longitudinal movement, crosswise of the yarns, and in either direction but herein to the left, to cause each yarn to be laid in the bight of the adjacent needle. Said movement may be effected in any suitable manner as by means of the adjustable arm 72 operatively connected at its outer end to one end of said comb holder. At its inner end said arm is fixed upon a short vertical shaft 7 3 having bearings in brackets upon the machine frame and having fixed to its lower end a lever arm 74C carrying `a cam roll 75, see Figs. 1 and 3, which cooperates with the groove 76 of a cam 77 upon the counter shaft 9.

As the counter shaft rotates, the leveiI arm 711- will be moved horizontally and will rock the vertical shaft 78, and through said arm 72 will shift the comb holder 70 at the proper time and in the manner above described.

In the present instance said brackets 71 which support the comb holder are .nade adiustable relative to the machine frame, the bolts 7 S, 78 being provided for this purpose, which pass through slots or like openings in the end frame members. By means of said connections the position of said brackets 71 may be adjusted with respect to the machine frame, so as properly to support the comb holder and yarns for different styles of tube frames or other yarn carriers. rlhe arm 72 is also adjustable for a like purpose.

During the threading operation the yarn carrier may be clamped in position as by means of the grooved or notched clamping bar 80, Figs. 1 and 2, having downu ardly projecting teeth adapted to enter and 'lit the space between the yarn receiving portions or tubes 13, thus aligning the carrier in operative relation to the needles and forcibly clamping it in position. Said clamping bar S0 is supported at the lower ends of vertical arms 81 carried at their upper ends upon eccentrics 82 secured to a longitudinal shaft 83 mounted for rocking -n'iovement on the arch 2. Suitable operating means such as hand levers, one of which is indicated at 84 in Figs. 1 to 3, is provided for rocking said shaft 83 and the eccentrics thereon, to raise the clamping bar 8O out of or lower it into clamping engagement with the carrier.

Desirably also suitable means is provided for guiding and aligning the bank of needles when they emerge forwardly beyond the tubes preparatory to engagement with the yarns to be drawn in. Herein such means includes the guide bar 85, see Fig. 1, having downwardly extending teeth between which the needles are caused to pass. Said guide bar is suitably supported for vertical rcciprocation and is contacted at each end by vertical bolts 86 respectively carried by the outer or forward ends of the cam levers 87 pivotally mounted upon the adjacent end frame member 1. Normally said guide bar 85 is held in raised position by suitable spring means but it is adapted to be lowered at the proper time into the path of the needles, as by means of the cam rolls 88 carried at the inner ends of said levers 87 and which are engaged during forward movement of the needles by the cam elements 89 herein provided upon the needle cross bar 4;. By means of said cams S9 the rear ends of said levers 87 are raised during the proper portion of the forward or outward stroke of the needles to cause the guide bar 85 to descend into their path, insuring proper guiding of said needles up to the time they pass forwardly through the strands of yarn.

ln the forward position of the needles the needle rack bars 5 are projected to points in or forward of the vertical plane of the carriage for the yarn carrier and its supporting track. Provisions are therefore made whereby said needle rack bars may pass through the track bars 20, 21 and the depending brackets 26, herein by means of the openings indicated at 90 in Fig. 2. When the yarncarrier and its carriage are properly positioned for the theading operation, said openings permit the needle rack bars to pass forwardly to the necessary extent, similar openings being provided in the proper positions for the threading of each spool.

Said needle rack bars 5 also pass outwardly beyond the plane of the yarns of any adjacent previously threaded spool which still remains in its spool holder on the carriage. To permit such action without disturbance of the previously threaded yarns we have provided means for separating said yarns and holding them out of the path of movement of said needle bars. As herein shown, particularly in Figs. 1 and 2, such means comprises the yarn separators or forks 95 pivotally supported adjacent each end of t-he bank of needles. Said forks terminate at their outer ends in an inturned wedgeshaped portion which, when the forks are swung downwardly, will pass between and spread the yarns of any previously threaded spool which directly overlie the openings 90. Said forks 95 desirably are longitudinally adjustable in their brackets 96, the latter pivoted as at 97 upon suitable supports 98 herein carriedby the comb holder 70. Desirably springs 99 are secured to said forks, having sufficient tension to hold said yarn separating forks in either their upper and inoperative position or their down and yarn separating position. In addition to such yarn separating forks we may also provide auxiliary combs for holding the end yarns in proper spaced relation, as shown for example in our patent before mentioned.

It is important that the machine should not be operated unless the carriage is in proper position with the openings aligned with the needle racks, and with the carrier tubes properly aligned with the needles. For this purpose we have provided automatic safety or locking mechanism preventing operation of the machine except under the above conditions. Said mechanism is best seen in the lower central portion of Fig. 2 and includes a substantially horizontal lever' pivoted upon the machine frame' as at 101 and having at one of its ends a yokelike locking element 102. The opposed lugs or fingers 103, 104 of said element are spaced apart a distance just sufficient to permit the pin 105 upon the power control lever 106 to pass between them when the various parts are properly positioned for operation of the machine. At its other end said lever 100 terminates in an arm 107 in the upper face of which is formed a recess 108 adapted to receive one of a series of depending lugs 109 upon the movable carriage. Said lugs are so positioned that when a spool upon said carriage and the corresponding section of tubes of the carrier are in proper position for threading, a pair of the openings 90 then lying in the path of the needles, the appropriate lug 109 will have ridden over and depressed the arm 107 against the action of the spring 110 which tends to raise the same. As the carriage reaches its exact proper position said lug will enter the recess 108, thereby bringing the lever 100 accurately into position where both the fingers 103 and 104 are out of the path of the pin 105 and also releasably holding the carriage in said position. 1n the raised position of the arm 107, or if too far depressed by reason of the 'lug 109 not having entered the recess 108, that is, with the carriage improperly positioned for the threading` operation, the upper finger 103 of the locking element or the lower' finger 104, respectively, lie across the path of the pin 105 and prevent the control lever 106 being moved to start the machine. llVhen, however, the carriage is properly positioned said arm 107 is depressed to just the proper extent and the ngers 103 and 104 removed from the path of said pin 105, permitting the control lever to be moved the slight distance necessary in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, to throw the clutch and start the machine. Said locking element 102 including the lingers 103, 104, is of such form as to prevent entire disengagement of the pin 105, and also to limit the upward movement of the arm 107.

The control or starting` lever 106 above mentioned is fast -upon the forward end of a cross shaft 112 journalled in a bracket 113 projecting from the machine frame, said bracket also forming a bearing support for the adjacent end of the main drive shaft 11, the pulley, and associated clutch mechanism. Fixed to said shaft 112 is the lever arm 114 for throwing the clutch.

Secured to said main drive shaft 11 adjacent its outer end is a brake drum 115, Figs. 1 and 2, which is surrounded by aI pair of opposed, suitably lined semicircular elements or brake shoes 116, 117 pivotally supported by the bracket 113 as at 118, for movement toward and away from each other. At their ends opposite their point of pivotal support said shoes 116, 117 are formed with ears 119, 120 through which loosely extends a bolt 121 supporting an expansion spring 122 which tends normally to hold said shoes 116, 117 in engagement with said brake drum. For opening said shoes to release the brake there is provided a brake cam 123 projecting inwardly between said ears 119, 120. Said brake cam is carried upon the outer end of a cam arm 124 pivoted upon a projecting portion of the bracket 113 and having at its outer end a cam roll 125 which cooperates with a face cam 126 on the cross shaft 112 above mentioned.

lhen the starting lever 106 is moved to throw in the clutch for starting the machine it simultaneously moves said cam 126 thereby rocking the arm 124 to the right, Fig. 1, with the resultant turning of the brake cam 123 to spread the ears 119, 120, thus releasing the brake mechanism. The reverse operation takes place when the machine is stopped, the brake being automatically applied by the spring 122. It will be noted that no brake band of the usual type is employed, such as is liable to breakage upon the sudden application of the brake. Automatic means for stopping the machine, including the lever 127 upon said cross shaft 112 and cooperating with one or more suitably positioned stops 128 upon the cam 77 previously described may be provided if desired.

In performing the tubing or threading operation a yarn carrier or tube frame is placed in operative position on the machine so as to be shiftable along the same, being herein supported upon the traversible carriage. There a support or track for the yarn carrier is provided at both ends of the machine, as illustrated, the threading operation may be carried out starting` at either end of the carrier and shifting the same either to the right or to the left as the case may be. Ordinarily with the mechanism as illustrated we prefer to thread the right hand spool first. The carrier will then be positioned with its right end section of tubes opposite the needles and the remainder of the carrier upon the traclr at the left of the machine. The carrier is clamped in position by lowering the clamping bar 80, and the machine is then operated to place the yarns of said first or right hand spool of the carriage through the adjacent yarn receiving portions or tubes of said carrier. The machine is then automatically stopped, to permit the carriage and yarn carrier to be shifted to the right sufliciently to bring the next section of tubes in the proper relation for threading. Said steps are repeated in sequence until all of the spools have been threaded.

rdinarily in threading a carrier or tube frame designed to hold three or more spools it is necessary to thread first the center or intermediate spool or spools in order to permit the placing thereof in the intermediate brackets, such as 15, 15, upon the carrier. This is particularly true in the case of a machine having needles sutlicient for threading one spool only at a time and Where the holders for supporting the spool during the threading operation are stationary upon the machine.

Said necessity of threading the intermediate spool or spools first ordinarily entails shiftingof the carrier first in one direction and then backrvardly in the opposite direction through its entire length to thread the opposite end spool. Such additional shifting of the carrier is obviated in the present instance by the provision of the plurality of pairs of spool holders previously described equal in number to the spools to be threaded, said holders being mounted upon and movable with the carriage which supports the carrier during the threading operation. lt is accordingly possible to thread the spools consecutively from either end of the carrier and when all have been threaded, the intermediate spool or spools may first be removed from their holders upon the carriage and placed in their proper position in the yarn carrier. In other Words, instead of having to thread the spools herein shown in the order B, A, C or B, C, A, they may be threaded consecutively A, B, C, or the reverse. Thus the spools may be transferred into their supports in the carrier in any desired order Without additional shifting of said carrier, with a resultant saving' of considerable time and labor. Also, if desired, alternate tube frames may be threaded in opposite directions.

When all of the yarn receiving` portions or tubes of the carrier have been threaded and the spools transferred to their supports in said carrier it is essential that all of the yarn ends project equal distances beyond the tubes, to insure proper functioning of the same in the loom. In some instances the yarns may be trimmed by means of automatically operated shear blades upon the machine While the carrier or a section thereof lies opposite the needles. At other times, however, it is desirable that all of the yarns be trimmed in single operation subsequent to the threading' of the various sections of tubes, particularly where the carrier or tube frame employed is formed with a curve or bow, as herein illustrated and described.

Accordingly We provide mechanism for trimming all of the yarn ends subsequent to the threading operation, which mecha.- nism is equally adaptable for use With either straight or curved yarn carriers. Referring new more particularly to Figs. 4 to 9, it Will be noted that the track or support for the yarn carrier and its movable carriage is extended outwardly to one side of the machine, herein to the left, to a distance suiiicient to receive an entire yarn carrier of maxin'iuin length. Following the threading operation the yarn carrier is moved out onto said support substantially into the position shown in Fig. 1- preparatory to the trimming operation, herein performed by a trimming device which is movable along and in operative, yarn severing relation With the ends of the drawn-in yarns.

As best. seen in Fig. 1i, said drawn-in yarn ends lie across an elongated metallic tapelilre element or tape 135 on the movable carriage, and extending the length of the yarn carrier. Said tape is adjustably secured to said carriage as by means of the bolts 136, 137 at the opposite ends of the tape respectively and extending through lugs 138 projecting inwardly from said carriage (see also Fig. 5). Said tape 135 is preferably formed of steel or other suitableK metal iinished with a glass-hard surface upon atv least its upper face across Which the yarn ends extend. The trimming' or cutting device proper is adapted to be moved along and in frictional contact with the glass-hard surface of said tape 135 so as to'sever the yarn ends against said tape by a scoring action, cutting them under pressure. Said device is illustrated in detail in Figs. 8 and 9.

Referring to said figures, the cutting member, score cutter, or cutter disk, is indicated at 140, having a knife edge 1/11, and adapted When moved longitudinally of the tape to rotate through friction against the latter. The hub 1412 of said -cutter disk is journalled in the lower forked end of a plunger 1414i supported. for vertical movement Within a guideway 1-1-5 formed in the cutter head 14:6 at the upper end of a bracket 147.

The upper end of said plunger 1111i is formed as a tube Within which is seated a spring` 1st-8 bearingat its lower end against said plunger and at its upper end against a plug 1119. An adjusting screuT 150 isthreaded through the upper' Wall of the head 146 and extends downwardly into contact with said plug. By turning said adjusting screfw the pressure upon the cutter may be regulated. Said spring 148 tends to force the j lunger and the cutter carried thereby downwardly into contact with the tape 135. Said tape is supported upon its lower side at a point directly opposite that at which the cutter presses, by means oi' a roller 151 rotatable upon a pin 152 projecting from the cutter traveller 161 more fully described below.

Upon one tace ot' said plunger 144 is a rack 155, see Fig. 8, with which meshes a small pinion 156 fixed on a transverse pin 157 journalled its outer end there is tixed to said pin a downwardly projecting finger 158 whereby the pinion 156 may be rotated to impart vertical movement to the plunger 144 to move the cutter disk out oi or into contact with the cutter tape.

rlhe trimming or cutting mechanism above described is supported for traversing movement along the yarn carrier in parallelism with its longitudinal axis, being herein slid able on a longitudinal track or support 160 supported at one end upon the machine trame and at intermediate points and its opposite end upon the carriage track supports 22. rlhe bracket 147 which supports the cutter head 146 is secured at its lower end to a. movable carriage or traveller tor the cutter, herein shown as a yoke-like member or shoe 161 having a lip 162 which rests upon and is slidable along t-he upper surface or the track 160. Said cutter traveller 161 is guided for movement along the track as by means ot the opposed plates 163, 164 which overlie the 'front face ot' the track at its upper and lower edges respectively. The cutter traveller may be either automatically or manually moved, suitable operating members, such as the hand grips 165, 166 being herein secured near each end of said traveller; and which may be grasped by the operator to traverse the same along the track 160, thereby moving the cutter longitudinally ot and in cutting relation to the ends of the series of yarns.

rEhe yarn ends should all be cut so as to project exactly the same distance beyond their respective tubes. Vhere a straight carrier or tube frame is employed the track 160 is also straight so that the seoi'e cutter moves in a straight path and in cutting relation to the yarn ends along a line parallel to the yarn carrier axis and to the line along which the forward ends of the tubes 13 lie. Means is provided, however, whereby the alignment oii the track 160 may be varied so as to trim equally the yarns ot a curved or bowed carrier, such as herein shown. Said means includes a series ot tension bolts or track adjusting members 167 in the cutter head 146. At-

projecting inwardly Jfrom yarn carrier track member 21 and having thread engagement with thc cutter track 160 or with a lug 16S secured thereto, whereby the intermediate portion of said cutter track may be drawn inwardly causing it to assume the desired curve in parallelism with the line oicurvature oi' the yarn carrier, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

The cutting movement oi' the yarn trimming device may take place in either direction but preferably with the mechanism disclosed said movement is from lett to right. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the cutter is in position ready for trimming the yarns. The operator then grasp-s one of the grips 165 or 166 and moves the cutter traveller toward the right in said figures. The cutter disk, which makes contact with the tape 135 under pressure, desirably about 40 pounds, will be caused to rotate thereagainst and will pass over and trim cleanly all of the yarn end-s by score cutting them against the hard surface of said tape.

At theI end ot the trimming operation the cutter will assume a position at the right end oi its track, at the right in Fig. 4, and adjacent the lett end oi the bank ot needles, where it brings up against a suitable stop on the machine frame. The carriage, still in the position shown in Fig. 4, may then have the completely prepared frame or carrier removed, and a new one to be threaded inserted. The threading operation is then begun, the yarn carrier and its carriage being shifted toward the right, and the spools threaded in the order A, B, C, from right to lett with respect to the carrier. During said threading operation the cutter remains in said position at the right oi its track where it was lett at the end of the previous cutting operation. lVhen said threading is complete, the carriage and yarn carrier will then be |shifted to the lett, onto the left portion of the carriage support, into the position shown in Fig. 4.

Means is provided whereby the cutter is automatically returned to proper position for the following trimming operation. For this purpose a spring pressed plunger 170 is movably supported in the tube frame carriage near the lett hand end, being normally refsiliently held inwardly, that is, toward the cutter track 160, by the spring 171. At its inner end said plunger 170 is formed with a nose 172 having an inclined tace 173. When the cutter traveller is at the right end of its track and the carriage has been moved into its extreme right position for the threading of the last spool, herein spool C, said face 17 3 will come into contact with a cam 'surface 174 formed 0n a lug 175 upon the cutter traveller. The plunger is thereby pressed outwardly against the spring 171, permitting it to ride CII over the lug 175 and then to snap back into its normal position with its nose 172 back of, that is, to the right of said lug 175. In this manner the cutter traveller will be locked to the carriage so as to be moved with the latter during travel thereof toward the left in Figs. 4 and 5.

Upon completion of the yarn trimming movement of the cutter traveller when the latter is still at the right hand end of its track, at the right in Fig. 4, the finger 158 will be actuated to raise the cutter disk out of contact with the tape. Said action herein occurs at approximately the time that the plunger 170 is passing over the lug 175. Near the left of the carriage is an abutment member 17 6 which will engage the lower portion of said finger 158 for the purpose above mentioned. Said abutment member is mounted in a lug 177 upon the upper plate 25 of the carriage, being desirably adjustable longitudinally relatively thereto, whereby the time of engagement of said abutment with the finger 158 may be accurately controlled. Engagement of said abutment with said finger swings the latter toward the right, Fig. 8, thus actuating the pinion 156 and causing the cutter to be raised out of contact with the tape, in which position it will remain so long as the plunger 170 lies to the right of and in engagement with the lug 175. i

Prior to the trimming operation the cutter traveller is unlocked or released from the carriage and the cutter disk permitted to descend into contact with the tape 135. Herein said results are accomplished automatically, whereby the cutting device is placed in readiness for use immediately when the yarn carrier and its carriage have been moved to the left into the position Ishown in Fig. 4. F or this purpose there is mounted upon the outer carriage track bar 2O a cutter release cam 178 having inclined cam faces 179, 180 at its opposite ends and an intermediate straight face 181. AS said carriage for the yarn carrier approaches its extreme left position a downwardly pro- -iecting pin 182 on the plunger 170 will come into contactl with said cam 178 and will ride out over the inclined face 179 and onto the straight face 181, thus withdrawing the plunger 170 and disconnecting the cutter traveller from the carriage. Said cutter traveller will therefore be left stationary, remaining substantially in the position shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The carriage may then continue its movement to the left to the extent necessary to release the linger 158 from the abutment 176 in order to allow the cutter disk to drop onto the tape. The cutter is then free to be moved to the right relatively to and along the carriage to trim the yarn ends.

During said trimming operation; the cal.'-`

riage is preferably held fixed in the position upon its track substantially as shown in F ig. 4 by means of a suitable stop which may be similar to the stop 52 previously described for locking said carriage in the proper position for the threading operation.

Because the cutter member is lifted awayl lfrom the element against which it cuts, herein the tape 135, during its non-functioning travel, much wearing contact between said cutting elements is eliminated. This is particularly desirable when the mechanism is set for trimming the yarns along a curved path. During the cutting operation the yarn carrier and its carriage preferably remain stationary, and consequently the cutter tape supported by said carriage is also stationary. The cutter device is then moved relatively to said tape to trim the yarns, the cutter disk being rotated by its engagement with said tape, with little resultant wear. During the opposite or return movement of the cutter it is locked to and moves with the carriage and tape, and the cutter disk does not rotate. lf the cutter track 160 is bowed, as illustrated in F ig. 4, it will be seen that during its said return movement the cutter disk will gradually be moved transversely relatively to the tape to an extent equal to the width of the bow of the cutter track, first toward the carriage and then away from it. If the cutter disk were in contact with the tape at such time it would therefore be scraped across the latter, with resultant dulling of the cutter disk and damage to the tape. By lifting the cutter out of Contact with the tape after its trimming movement and holding it out of engagement therewith during its non-trimming movement any such difficulty is obviated, herein automatically.

.It will be understood that the trimming or cutting mechanism above described may be employed apart from the threading mechanism, if desired, in any instances where it may be advantageous to perform the .trimming operation at a point remote from said threading mechanism. The provision of a rotatable score cutting member and an elongated hard surfaced member against which it makes contact under pressure, said members being relatively bodily movable lengthwise 0f said hard surfaced member. is not confined to yarn threading or tubing machines, and within the broad scope of our invention said mechanism may be more generally employed in the textile art.

Our invention includes the method of' placing threads or yarns in the respective along a predetermined path, preferably parallel With the longitudinal axis of the frame or carrier and With the line on which the tubes or receiving portions terminate, Whether straight or curved.

Also in the practice of our method, the tubes or receiving portions of a tube frame or yarn carrier, when of a length to support a plurality of spools, may be threaded by sections in any desired order consecutively from end to end of the carrier or otherwise, irrespective of the order in which the threaded spools must be transferred to their supports on the yarn carrier. Our method also embraces the step of shifting a tube frame, Whether for one or more spools, in the direction of its length to position it for the trimming of its yarns, or said trimming opera tion may be performed apart from the tubing or threading mechanism, the tube frame being removed therefrom and positioned for the trimming Where desired. In its broader aspect our invention includes the method of severing or trimming any series of threads or yarns supported in substantially parallel relation by producing relative movement between them and a score cutting mechanism along a given path thereby to trim the threads or yarns by cutting or scoring the same under pressure between said cutting mechanism and the thread or yarn support.

Our invention is not limited to the illustrative embodiment thereof shown and described herein.

Claims:

l. Mechanism for placing tuft yarns in the yarn receiving portions of a yarn carrier in carpet manufacture comprising yarn placing means,l a support for a yarn carrier and Whereon the carrier is shiftable in the direction of its length to position the same for cooperation with said yarn placing means, operating means for effecting relative movement of said carrier and yarn placing means transversely of the carrier thereby to place the yarn ends, and means to prevent operation of said operating means when the carrier is improperly positioned with respect to the yarn placing means.

2. In a machine for placing a series of yarn units through the respective yarn receiving portions of a yarn carrier the com bination of a plurality of yarn placing devices, a yarn carrier, a movable support therefor variably to position said carrier for cooperation with said yarn placing devices, mechanism relatively to move said yarn placing devices and the yarn carrier transversely of the latter to place the yarn units therein, and means to prevent operation of said mechanism While said carrier support is improperly positioned.

3. In a machine for placing a series of yarn units through the respective yarn receiving portions of a yarn carrier the coinbin-ation of a plurality of yarn placing devices, a yarn carrier, a movable support therefor variably t'o position said carrier for cooperation with said yarn placing devices, mechanism relatively to move said yarn placing` devices and the yarn carrier transversly of the latter to place the yarn units therein, including a movable control member for starting andl stopping said mechanism, a locking device engageable With said member to prevent movement thereof for starting said mechanism while said carrier support is improperly positioned, and means whereby correct positioning of said support effects the release of said locking device.

t. ln a machine for placing a series of yarn units through the respective yarn receiving portions of a yarn carrier the combination of a plurality of yarn placing devices, a yarn carrier, a movable support therefor variably toposition said carrier for cooperation with said yarn placing devices, mechanism relatively to move said yarn placing devices and the yarn carrier transversely of the latter to place the yarn units therein, including a movable control member for starting and stopping said mechanism, a locking device engageable with said member to prevent movement thereof for starting said mechanism While said carrier support is improperly positioned, and means whereby correct positioning of said supportelfects the release of said locking device, said means also acting to hold said support in its said proper position.

5. In a machine for placing a series of yarn units through the respective yarn receiving portions of a yarn carrier the combination of a plurality of yarn placing devices, a yarn carrier, a movable supporttherefor variably to position said carrier for cooperation with said yarn placing devices, mechanism relatively to move said yarn placing devices and the yarn carrier transversely of the latter to place the yarn units therein, means to prevent operation of said mechanism While said carrier support is improperly positioned, including a shiftable control lever for starting and stopping said mechanism, a releasable lockingl member for holding said lever against shifting movement to start the said mechanism While said carrier support is improperly positioned, and means on said support engageable With said locking member to release the same upon proper positioning of said support.

G. ln a machine for placing a series of yarn units through the respective yarn receiving portions of a yarn carrier the combination of a plurality of yarn placing devices, -a yarn carrier, a movable support therefor variably to position said carrier for cooperation with said yarn placing devices, mechanism relatively to move said yarn placing devices and the yarn carrier trans- Cil versely of the latter to place the yarn units therein, and means to prevent operation of said mechanism while said carrier support is improperly positioned, including a control lever 106 for said mechanism, a locking member therefor having an arm, a projection on the yarn cariier support and into the path of which said arm normally eX- tends, said arm adapted to be moved by said projection thereby to release said locking member upon proper positioning of the carrier support for the yarn placing opeiation.

7. Mechanism for placing tuft yarns in the yarn receiif'ing portions of a yarn carrier in carpet manufacture comprising yarn placing means, a support for a yarn cari'ier and whereon the carrier is shiftable in the direction of its length to position the same for cooperation with said yarn placing means, operating means for effecting relative movement of said carrier and yarn placing means transversely of the carrier thereby to place the yarn ends, and means whereby improper positioningof the cai'- rier with respect to the yarn placing means will prevent operation of said operating means.

8, In a machine for handling tuft yarns in carpet manufacture the combination with a yarn carrier and yarn placing means adapted to cooperate therewith simultaneously to place a plurality of yarn ends through a given number of yarn receiving portions of said carrier, of a carriage for the yarn carrier and a support whereon said carriage is shiftable to position said yarn carrier in the desired operative relation to the said yarn placing means.

9. Apparatus for placing` yarns through the yarn receiving portions of a yarn carrier including in combination a yarn carrier, a plurality of reciprocable yarn placing devices less in number than the yarn receiving port-ions of said carrier, and a support for said carrier mounted for movement transversely of the path of said yarn placing devices to present different sections of said carrier thereto.

10. In a machine for handling tuft yarns in carpet manufacture the combination with a yarn carrier and yarn placing means adapted to cooperate therewith simultaneously to place a plurality of yarn ends through a given number of the yarn receiving portions of said carrier, of a carriage for the yarn carrier and a support wliereon said carriage is movable variously to position the yarn carrier with relation to said yarn placing means.

11. Apparatus foi' placing yarns through the yarn receiving portions of a yarn carrier including in combination a yarn carrier, a plurality of reciprocable yarirplacing devices less in number than the yarn receiving portions of said carrier, a support yarns the combination with yarn receiving portions, aiid means for simultaneously placing.

one or more yarns in a plurality of said portions respectively, said carrier and means beingl relatively movable toward and from each other to engage and place the yarn ends, of a carriage adapted to receive said yarn carrier and a supporting track whereon said carriage is movable transversely of the path of relative movement of said yarn carrier and said yarn placing` means.

13. Apparatus for placing yarns through the yarn receiving portions of a yarn carrier including in combination a plurality of recipi'ocable yarn placing devices, a yarn carrier, and a support for said carrier movable transversely to the path of said yarn placing devices.

14:. In a machine for handling tuft in carpet manufacture, the combination with a yarn carrier having yarn receiving poi-tions, and yarn placing means, said carrier and means being relatively movable toward and from each other to engage and place the yarn ends in said receiving portions of the carrier, of a support including roller devices wliereon said yarn carrier is shiftable in the direction of its length.

15. Apparatus for placing yarns through the yarn receiving portions of a yarn carrier including` in combination a yarn carrier, a yarn spool and a support therefor, means to hold the yarns in position for placing, means to engage and place yarns Ain a plurality of receiving portions of said carier, and a movable support for said carrier whereby the desired portions of the latter may be presented to and withdrawn from said yarn placing means.

16. In a machine for tubing tuft yarns in carpet manufacture the combination with a tube frame and means for placing yarns through the tubes thereof, of a carriage for said tube frame including a longitudinal base member and a seat for the tube frame, and atrack extending along the machine and having a plurality, of rollers upon which said base member is supported.

17. In a machine for tubing tuft yarns in carpet manufacture the combination with a tube frame and means for through the tubes thereof, of a carriage for said tube frame including a longitudinal base member and a seat for the tube frame` a track extending along` the machine and having a plurality of rollers upon which lao said base member is supported, and means along said track to engage the opposite side faces of said base member to guide the same.

18. In a machine for tubing tutt yarns in carpet manufacture the combination with a tube trame and means tor placing yarns through the tubes thereof, of a carriage for said tube trame including a longitudinal base member and a seat 'lor the tube trame, a track along the machine upon which said carriage is movable, and means to hold the carriage in the desired position on said track with relation to the yarn placing means.

19. In a yarn or thread placing` machine the combination with a yarn carrier and a series ot reciprocable needles, ot a support 'for said carrier comprising rigidly connect ed upper and lower plates, the upper plate being recessed at its upper Jface rearwardly Jfrom its front edge to provide a seat thereon for the yarn receiving portions or the carrier, the wall so termed at the rear ot said recess being slotted to the depth ot the re cess to constitute a comb-like element on said support having its spaces in alignment with said yarn receiving portions ot' a seated car` rier, permitting the needles to pass through them prior to their forward passage through said yarn receiving portions.

20. In a yarn or thread placing machine the combination with a yarn carrier and a series of reciprocable needles, of a support for said carrier having a seat thereon tor the yarn receiving portions oit the carrier, and a comb-like element on said support having its spaces in alignment with said yarn receiving portions of a seated carrier, permitting the needles to pass through them prior to their forward passage through said yarn receiving portions, said comb-like element con` stituting means for holding the placed yarn ends in spaced relation for trimming, and means preventing` disengagement ot said placed yarn ends therefrom.

21. In a yarn or thread placing machine the combination with a yarn carrier and a series ot reciprocable needles, of a supportI for said carrier having a seat thereon tor the yarn receiving portions of the carrier, and means on said support between said seat and the needles and adapted to hold the placed yarn ends against displacementI in all directions transverselyT of the yarns.

22. In a yarn or thread placing machine the. combination with a yarn carrier and a series of reciprocable needles ot a longitudinally shift-able carriage for said yarn carrier, a seat thereon for the yarn receiving ortions of the carrier, a toothed, yarn spacing element along said carriage and through which the yarns are placed by said needles as-they withdraw from the yarn receiving portions of the carrier, anda member extending along and upon said toothed element to confine the yarns therein.

23. In a tubing machine, the combination of a tube trame, a reciprocable bank ot' needles, a carriage for said trame having a seat 33 tor the tubes thereof, yarn spacing means 35 on said carriage, and means 36 to retain the yarns therein.

24. Apparatus for placing yarns through the yarn receiving portions of a yarn carrier including in combination a plurality of.' reciprocable yarn placing devices, a yarn carrier or tube trame, and means including a track and cooperating anti-friction rollers supporting the latter tor ready longitudinal shitting movement.

25. 1n a machine for placing tutt yarns in carpet manufacture through the tubes ot a tube trame, in combination, a bank of yarn placing needles, one or more racks ior reciprocating said needles, a movable carriage tor a tube iframe, a support along which said carriage is traversable, said racks having a movement across the path oi said carriage, the portion ot said carriage in the path of said rack or racks when said carriage is in position to present the tube frame for threading, being` constructed and arranged 'for projection or' said rack or racks therethrough.

2G. ln a. machine for placing' tutt yarns in carpet manufacture through the tubes of a tube trame, in combination, a bank of yarn placing needles, one or more racks for reciprocating said needles, a movable carriage for a tube trame, a support along which said carriage is traversable, said racks having a movement across the path of said carriage, means permitting said rack or racks to advance through the portion of said carriage in its or their path when said carriage is in position to present the tube frame tor threading, and means to prevent starting the machine unless said carriage is so positioned.

27. ln a machine for placing tutt yarns in carpet manufacture through the tubes of a tube trame for wide work, the combination with a series of reciprocable needles and a tube frame having a number of tutting tubes exceeding the number of needles, ot a carriage for said frame shittable to present the desired section of tubes for threading, and means on said carriage for holding spools to a number equal to the number ot tube sections to be. separately threaded.

28. In a machine for placing a series of yarn units through the respective yarn receiving portions o't a yarn carrier, the combination of a series ot reciprocable needles, a yarn carrier, a movable carriage therefor` and mea-ns on said carriage Jfor holding a spool the yarns ot which are to be placed in the receiving portions et said Carrier Cil 29. In a machine for placing tutt yarns in carpet manufacture through the tubes of a tube frame, of a length for wide work, in combination, a series of reciprocable needles for simultaneously placing the yarns of a single spool, a yarn carrier having a number of yarn receiving portions in excess of the number ot' needles, a carriage `for said yarn carrier movable to present successively the desired receiving portions for cooperation with said needles, and means on said carriage for holding the required number oi' spools.

30. In a machine for drawing-in yarns through the tubes of a tube frame for wide work, a tube frame carriage, a track whereon said carriage. is movable lengthwise the machine, and a plurality ot spool holding devices on said carriage for holding the spools during the drawing-in operation, each of said devices including a pair of opposed cup-like holders to receive the opposite ends of a spool, said devices being constructed and arranged to enable the end yarns of adjacent spools to lie in suiliciently close proximity for threading through adjacent tubes of the tube frame.

31. In a machine for drawing-in yarns through the tubes of a tube frame for wide work, a tube frame carriage, a track whereon said carriage is movable lengthwise the machine, a plurality of spool holding devices on said carriage for holding the spools during the drawing-in operation, each of said devices including a pair of opposed cup-like holders to receive the opposite ends of a spool, and automatic means tor period ically holding the spool or permitting` it to turn, said devices being constructed and arranged to enable the end yarns of adjacent spools to lie in suiiiciently close proximity for threading through adjacent tubes of the tube. frame.

32. In a machine for drawing in yarns through the tubes of a tube frame for wide work, a tube frame carriage, a track whereon said carriage is movable lengthwise the machine, and a plurality or spool holding devices on said carriage for holding the spools during the drawing-in operation, said devices being constructed and arranged to hold the respective spools in substantially parallel but overlapping relation.

33. In a machine for drawing in yarns through the tubes of a tube frame for wide work, a. tube frame carriage, a track whereon said carriage is movable lengthwise the machine, a plurality of spool holding devices on said carriage for holding the spool holding devices during the drawing-in operation, each ci said devices including a pair of opposed cup-like holders to receive the opposite ends of a spool, and manual means to turn a spool when in said holders, said devices being constructed and arranged to enable the end yarns of adjacent spools to lie in sutliciently close proximity for threading through adjacent tubes of the tube frame.

34. In a machine 'for drawing in yarns through the tubes of a tube frame for wide work, a tube frame carriage, a track whereon said carriage is movable lengthwise the machine, a plurality of spool holding devices on said carriage for holding the spools during the drawing-in operation, said devices being constructed and arranged to hold the respective spools in substantially parallel but overlapping and staggered or otfs-et relation, and means to regulate the tension on the yarns of a spool in said holding devices.

35. In a machine for drawing in yarns through the tubes of a tube frame tor wide work, a tube frame carriage, a track whereon said carriage is movable lengthwise the machine, a plurality of spool holding devices on said carriage lfor holding the spools during the drawing-in operation, and means onr the machine to spread the drawn-in yarns of a spool, which still remains in its holder, during the drawing-in of the yarns of the next adjacent spool, to permit a moving part of the machine to pass through them.

36. In a machine for drawing in yarns through the tubes of a tube frame for wide work, a tube frame carriage, a track whereon said carriage is movable lengthwise the machine, a plurality of spool holding devices on said carriage for holding the spools during the drawing-in operation, and means on the. machine to spread the drawn-inf' yarns of a spool which still remains in its holder, during the drawing-in ot the yarns of the next adjacent spool, to permit a moving part of the machine to pass through them, said means comprising one or more members pivotally supported for movement to operative or inoperative position and having a wedge-shaped portion adapted to enter between and separate said drawn-in yarns.

37. In a machine for drawing in yarns through the tubes of a tube frame for wide work, a. bank of drawing-in needles, a tube frame carriage, a track whereon said carriage is movable lengthwise the machine, a plurality of spool holding devices on said carriage for holding the spools during the drawing-in operation, and a yarn separator 95 pivotally supported adjacent one or both ends of said bank ot needles.

38, In a machine for placing yarns in the tubes of a tube frame adapted to receive the yarns of a plurality of spools, the combination with a series ot yarn placing devices for placing simultaneously the yarns of one spool, of a carriage for the tube frame movable to present the diil'erent sections thereot1 for placing of the yarns, and a plurality of supports on said carriage equal in number" to the number of spools and arranged to support the spools with their yarns in position to be placed in the tube.

39. In a machine for placing yarns in the tubes of a tube frame, the combination with yarn placing mechanism, of a movable carriage for the tube frame, a spool support on said carriage, holding means associated with said support for preventing a spool supported therein from turning, and means on the machine adapted to cooperate with said holding means at times to permit turning of the spool.

40. In a machine for placing yarns in the tubes of a tube frame adapted to receive the yarns of a plurality of spools, the combination with a series of yarn placing devices for placing simultaneously the yarns of one spool, oit a carriage for the tube frame movable to present the diierent sections thereof for placing of the yarns, a plurality of supports on said carriage equal in number to the number of spools and arranged to support the spools with their yarns in position to be placed in the tubes, mechanism associated with each spool support to prevent the spool therein from turning, and means on the machine adapted to cooperate with said mechanism of that spool support Whose spool is positioned for the placing of its yarns thereby to permit turning of that spool at times during the yarn placing operation.

41. Apparatus for placing tutt yarns through the yarn receiving portions of ayarn carrier adapted to support a plurality of yarn spools, comprising in combination yarn placing mechanism, a yarn carrier movable longitudinally to present dilerent sections thereof in cooperative relation With said yarn placing mechanism, a support onto which said yarn carrier with the yarns placed therein may be moved, and means traversable lengthwise the yarn carrier when on said support t-o trim the yarn ends. i

42. The combination with a tube frame and mechanism for placing yarns in the tubes thereof, of an elongated support eX- ten'ding along and past said yarn placing mechanism and whereon the ltube frame is movable, and yarn trimming mechanism at one end of said support, said mechanism including a rotatable score cutter, a track along which said cutter is movable in operative relation to the yarn ends, and a yarn end supporting element with which said cutter makes contact to trim the yarns against it.

48. In a yarn tubing machine, the combination Wit-h a tube frame and series of yarn placing devices, of a tube trame carriage, a support along which said carriage is movable to position the tube frame for placing the yarns therein and to withdraw the same, and yarn trimming mechanism cooperating with said carriage and tube :trame in the withdrawn position of the latter, said mechanism including a track substantially parallel with said carriage support and a yarn severing device traversable along said track to trim the yarn ends.

44. Mechanism for placing tutt yarns through the tubes of a tube frame of a length to hold a plurality of spools employed in wide work comprising in combination a machine framing, thread placing means thereon, a carriage for a tube frame shiftable transversely osaid thread placing means to present diierent sections of the tube frame for threading, a support onto which said carriage and tube trame may be moved when the desired tubes of the frame have been threaded, and cutting means traversable lengthwise said carriage and in operative relation to the threaded yarn ends to trim the same.

45. In a yarn tubing machine, the combination with a tube frame and series of yarn placing devices, of a tube frame carriage, an elongated support for said carriage eX- tending out-wart ly to one side of said yarn placing devices and along which said carriage and tube frame are movable into yarn placing or into yarn trimming positions, a track adjacent the outwardly extending portion of said carriage supports, a yarn trimming device movable on said track in one direction to trim the yarn ends and having a return or inoperative movement in the opposite direction, and means on said carriage engageable with said trimming device whereby movement of said carriage from yarn placing to yarn trimming position eiiects the return movement of said trimming device automatically to position the same for movement to trim the yarns.

46. In a. yarn tubing machine, the combination with a tube frame and series of yarn placing devices, of a tube frame carriage, an elongated support for said carriage extending outwardly to one side of said yarn placing devices and along which said carriage and tube frame are movable into` yarn placing or into yarn trimming positions, a track adjacent the outwardly extending portion of said carriage supports, a yarn trimming device movable on said track in one direction to trim the yarn ends and having a return or inoperative movement in the opposite direction, means on said carriage engageable with said trimming device whereby movement of said carriage from yarn placing to yarn trimming position effects the return movement of said trimming device automatically" to position the same for movement to trim the yarns, and means automatically to dis- 

